UNDATED (WTAQ) – As severe weather season approaches, the National Weather Service is offering free seminars to help train the public how to report storms and tornadoes in their area.
“Our volunteer storm spotters act as the eyes and ears of the National Weather Service,” says Jeff Last, Meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Ashwaubenon. “They’re out in their communities, they’re watching the weather, and when severe weather hits they contact the Weather Service with their reports.”
Last says these important classes are open to anyone over the age of 15 who has an interest in weather.
“If they do, then they’re more likely to report when severe weather hits,” Last says. “Other than that, all you need is a good pair of eyes and a way to contact us.”
The 90 minute seminar covers severe weather identification, reporting procedures, and safety. In addition to the onsite courses, several web seminars will be held this spring.
“We have Doppler radar and all of our technology that tells us what likely is happening with a certain storm, but the storm spotters are our ground troops,” explains Last. “They tell us exactly what’s happening, they can measure how big the hail is or how much rain or snow fell, which helps us make better forecasts and warnings.”
This week, April 11 through 15, is Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin.
